Tributes to Sedgley crash victim Danny Eales

Tributes were today being paid to the Black Country race car fan who died after a smash in Sedgley.

More than 100 people turned up to a memorial event in honour of 24-year-old Danny Eales which was organised by his friends in Flood Street, Dudley, yesterday evening.

They set off Chinese lanterns and shared memories of a man they described as "one of the nicest people you will ever meet".

The crash happened at around 10.15pm on Friday, when the Honda Civic he was travelling in smashed into a wall before spinning across the carriageway and coming to rest after hitting a set of traffic lights. Two other passengers and the Honda driver were also injured.

Danny's girlfriend Emma Kettley, aged 25, from Woodside, Dudley, said she was still in shock. "He was such a funny person, always smiling and cheering people up," she said.

"I'm just numb right now — I still can't quite believe it has happened. It's almost unbearable thinking about it."

She said he had a great love of cars and racing, particularly his red and white Ford Focus which he called his "baby".

"You can see how much he was loved by the turnout in Dudley last night," she said.

Originally from Tamworth, Danny, of Summit Place, Gornal Wood, Dudley, worked for Cannock-based firm ID Maintenance, where he travelled the country fixing lights and repairing roofs at petrol stations.

His younger brother Tom Pugh, aged 18, who lived with him, said the family were "in pieces" at his death.

"He was my brother, but he was like my dad. I've always looked up to him," he said.

"It's been a shock to everyone. I don't even know how to explain it. We're all just devastated."

Chris Priest, who helped organise the gathering, said: "Nobody has ever got a bad thing to say about him.

"He was lively, and bubbly, always laughing and smiling.

"He really was one of the nicest blokes you'd ever meet.

"No one can believe what has happened, that he's not here anymore — it's like a bad dream or something."

Alan Guest, aged 22, of Hallchurch Road, Holly Hall, added: "He was a really funny lad.

"He loved his car and he loved his girlfriend very much."

Rich Ward, aged 18, of Stickley Lane, Gornal, said: "Everyone is devastated. That's the only way to describe it. He's going to be really, really missed."

The road was closed for almost five hours after Friday night's crash. Witnesses should call police on 0345 113 5000.